Mail-bag receiver.



J. M. ALLEN.

MAIL BAG RECEIVER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.12, 1914.

1 1 1 3,939. Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

Inventor Jul/i2 MAI/72,

Witnesses Attorneys [HE NORRIS PETERS 70.. PHUTO-L|THO.. WASHINGTON D. C

UNITED A E P T NT JOHN M. ALLEN, or Amcoapamm To all whomit may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN M. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anaconda, in the county of. Deerlodge and State of Montana, have invented a new and useful Mail-Bag Receiver, of which the following is a specification. l 1

The present invention appertains to a mail bag receiver orcatcher', and. aims to provide a novel and improved device of that character. j

It is the object of the present invention to provide a unique eontrivance for catching mail bags or pouches, dischargedv {from trains while in motion, and which shall be so operable as to receivethe mail bags or pouches from trains moving in either direction, and for quickly bringing the discharged and caught bags or pouches to rest, in order that they may be removed.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a device of the nature indicated, which will be of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction, which will be devoid of intricate or complex. parts, which will reduce the wear and tear of the mail bags or pouches to. a minimum, and which will be simple, convenient, practical and efficient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the present invention'resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is .claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device, and Fig. 2 is a fragmental view thereof.

In carrying out the present 'invention, there is provided a suitable base 1 which may be set upon or implanted within the ground at one side of therailroad track or road bed. Upon the base 1, is mounted a suitable standard 2, and an upright shaft 3 is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of the standard or pedestal 2, as seen in Fig.

2, the lower end of the shaft 3 having a MAIL-BAG nnonrvnn.

Specification of Letters latent. Application filed January 12, 1914. "Serial No. 811,707.

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

suitable bearing 4 rotatablyi engaging the 2 upper endof the standard 2. v

Secured to the bearin 4, or to the lower end of the shaft .or 'spmdleB, area plw rality of radial arms 5, and a ring or annulus 6 is attached to the outer ends or extremities of thearmso. A. second ring or annulus 7. is superposed above the ring 6,

the two rings. being connectedby struts or spacing rods 8, whereby the ring 7 will be effectively supported in position. The arms 5, rings '6 and 7, and the. struts 8, are preferably constructed of rods or other suitable stock, the extremities of the arms 5 being formed into eyes embracing the: ring 6, and the extremities of the struts 8 also being formed into eyes embracingthe two rings.

An annularrim-9 issecured within the upper rmg or annulus 7, and has its edges projecting above and below the said ring, the rim9 beingconstrueted of sheet metal, leather, or any other suitable materialhaving sufficient flexibility for the purposes."

A frusto-conical cap or head 10 is se cured upon the upper end of the shaft or spindle 3, and to the rim or periphery of the cap 10 is securedan annulus or ring 11 concentric with and disposed in the same plane as the ring 7. The ring 11 is preferably disposed directly below the rim or periphery of the cap 10.

A fabric or flexible net 12 of annular trough or channel shape, has its edges secured to the ring 11 and the lower edgeof the rim 9, respectively, the cap 10, the rings 6, 7 and 11, the arms5, and the struts 8, forming a supporting frame, in connection with the shaft 3, for supporting the annular pocket or channel 12.

In practice, the present device is constructed of such size, that the mail bags or pouches may be readily delivered from themoving trains into the annular pocket 12, one side ofthe rotary framebeing disthe bags gradually to rest within a short period of time. The net pocket 12 will receive the mail bags in such a manner, as to prevent injury thereto,.and to also reduce the wear and tear of the bags to a minimum, the rim 9 also facilitating this function. The frusto-conical cap 10 tends to direct those bags which are misdirected toward it, into the pocket 12 as will be evident.

The mail bags or pouches may be readily withdrawn or removed from the present device, after the bags have been arrested or stopped, and it is clearly evident that the bags maybe received from swiftly moving trains going or proceeding in either direction.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawing, the other advantages of the present device'will be obvious to those versed'in the art, and need not be itemized at length. I

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is: I

1. In a mail receiver, a rotary frame including a pair of concentric rings, and an annular bag-receiving pocket having its edges attached :to the said rings.

2. In a mail bag receiver, a rotatable frame including a'c-ap and a surrounding ring, and an annular pocket having itsedges secured to the said ring and the periphery of the cap. r

3. In a mail bag receiver, an upright rotatable shaft, a pair of upper concentric rings, means for supporting the inner ring from the upper end of the shaft, means for supporting the outer ring from the lower portion of the shaft, and an annular bagreceiving pocket having its edges secured to the said rings.

4. In a mail bag receiver, a rotatable frame including a pair of concentric rings, a rim member secured within the outer ring, with its edges projecting above and below the said ring, and an annular pocket having its edges secured to the inner ring and the loweredge of the rim member, respectively.

' 5. In a mail bag receiver, an upright rotatable shaft, a cap carried by the upper end of the shaft, a ring supported below the periphery of the cap, a second ring concentric with the aforesaid ring, means for supporting the second mentioned ring from the lower portion of the shaft, and an annular pocket having its edges secured to the respective rings.

6. In a mail bag receiver, a standard, a frame rotatably carried thereby and includ ing a cap, a ring surrounding the same, and

struts supporting the said ring, and an annular pocket having its edges secured to the periphery of the said cap and to the said rmg.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN M. ALLEN. Witnesses:

F. M. OSBORNE, J. T. BOONE.

Gopies'or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

